Russian Revolution

1. Russian Revolution

2. Russian Government Before Revolution • Monarchy: The Czar (Tsar) • Until 1905 the Tsar's powers were unlimited. • Russia had no constitution, • no political party system to check the Tsar's power • A strong secret police which terrorized the people.

3. Royal BackgroundNicholas I • Created the first secret police in Russia, brutal leader, response to revolt of army officers in 1825

4. Czar Alexander II • He implemented important reforms, notably the abolition of serfdom, • In 1867, he sold Alaska and the Aleutian Islands to the United States. • Killed by the Revolutionary Group: The People’s Will

5. Czar Alexander III • Alexander III's reign was during an industrial revolution in Russia . • His reign was harsh, against revolutionaries and other liberal movements.

6. Czar Nicholas II (1894)Last Czar of Russia • Nicholas II was a harsh and weak ruler • The Russian economy was bankrupt because of the Russo-Japanese War and WWI Russia’s entry into WWI became very unpopular.

7. Czar Nicholas II and Family

8. Russo-Japanese War (1904) Dispute over Manchuria with Japan Shook national confidence in their progress and rule of Czar.

9. Bloody Sunday (1905)

10. Russia and World War I • Russia declares war on Austria-Hungary • War becomes unpopular • Rationing leads to starvation • Nicholas II leaves St. Petersburg to war front

12. Rasputin

13. Rasputin with Admirers

15. March Revolution (1917) • 1917- protests spread through St. Petersburg and the Royal palace is taken over. • Czar abdicates • Provisional government (Duma) takes control lead by Alexander Keresnky • Provisional government unpopular after decision to stay in WWI

16. October (Bolshevik) Revolution-1917 • Lead by VI Lenin “Peace, Land, and Bread” • Won support of people (especially peasants)

18. 1918 • 1918 March The Bolsheviks accept the peace of Brest‑Litovsk, ending WWI with Germany.

19. 1919-1920 1919 White Armies (Royal and Menshevik troops) attack the Reds (Bolsheviks) from all directions. • 1920- Reds defeat Whites

20. Rule of Lenin 1920-1924 • Economic Reforms included the New Economic Plan (NEP) -moderate mix of capitalism and socialism • Political Reforms -Bolshevik party became Communist Party -Russia becomes the United Soviet Socialist Republics

22. Communism • A Form of Socialism • Central Planning of the Economy by the State • Gov’t (Communist Party) makes decisions on individual jobs and pay

23. 1924 • Lenin Dies • Power Vaccuum • Leon Trotsky vs. Joseph Stalin • Stalin takes control • Now must decide how he will maintain power • Decides to create a totalitarian state

25. Characteristics of a Totalitarian State • Dictatorship- Absolute Authority • Dynamic Leader- Vision for the nation • State Control Over All Sectors of Society • Business, Family Life, Labor, youth groups, housing, religion, education, the arts • State Control Over the Individual • Obedience • Denies basic liberties • Organized Violence • Uses force to crush opposition

26. Stalin’s Totalitarian State • State Control of the Economy • 5 year plan, collective farms • Police Terror • Great Purge, crush opposition • Religious Persecution • Control of the individual • Propaganda (socialist realism) • Molding peoples minds • Education • Controlled by the government